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The band are timeless in a rather unique way. Rather than invoking the spirit of no time in particular, White Denim invoke the spirit of every era in rock and roll’s storied history on a song by song basis. They veer from bombastic southern rock riffs straight out of Almost Famous through to the scratchy, lo-fi punk of the late 80’s and absolutely everything in between, Taking influence from dub, psychedelia and jazz at their most out there.
It’s almost strange to think that the members of a band with so much creativity and chemistry could have ever played with anyone else but White Denim formed out of the ashes of two separate bands. Josh Block, James Petralli, Lucas Anderson’s Parque Touch and Steve Terebecki’s Peach Train played a gig together in March 2005, Parque Touch were so taken with Terebecki’s playing that they asked him to join them playing the bass guitar.
The newly formed quartet weren’t to last however. Anderson moved to Russia in 2006 before any recording could be done with their new bassist, so the remaining trio changed their name to White Denim and set about changing their sound drastically. By 2007 they’d written and recorded their debut E.P, which the band called “Let’s Talk About It”.
“Workout Holiday” became the bands second release, a “tour E.P” as the band put it, which came out the same year. The E.P caught the attention of rising netlabel RCRD LBL, who contracted the band to re-record three of its tracks and release them as a separate E.P online. That release was what earned them their first national attention, playing slots at 2008’s SXSW festival and the CMJ Music Marathon, not to mention winning the “Best New Band” accolade at the same year’s Austin Music Awards.
Re-recorded tracks from those first two E.P’s ended up on two versions of the band’s debut album, one that was called the “Workout Holiday LP” and was released in Europe during the summer of 2008, and a version of that record which was released in the US. The US version had a slightly altered track listing and came in the October of that year, which was entitled “Explosion”. In Europe, the album was released on Full Time Hobby, their label to this day, but in the U.S they only signed a full time deal in 2009, with Downtown Recordings.
Since then the band has been one of the most reliable bands in Alternative rock, who can always be counted on to release great albums and put on unmissable live performances. With a sold out concert at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire in 2014 and three sold out nights at New York City’s Music Hall of Williamsburg in the same year, their star is rising as well. Any rock fan would do well to seek out this most unique of bands at the peak of their powers.
Avis
Wednesday 29th August, Moth Club, London, White Denim. It’s back to the Moth Club tonight in what is part one of two gigs in one evening with this early show in Hackney. I have always liked White Denim but it wasn’t until I saw them at Glastonbury in 2016 that I really appreciated their jams and musicianship. It’s also helped that during their set was one of the brief glimpses of the sun in an otherwise very damp festival.
With a brand new album the fine ‘Performance’ just out this week I was expecting most of the set to be drawn from that but it was not to be the case. Instead we were treated to reworking’s from across their back catalogue in what can only be described freeform jazz fusion punk rock. It was breathless stuff and led by the two main men James Petralli on lead and vocals and Steve Terebecki on bass their fret work had to be seen to be believed. It was a constant frenzy on both instruments with elongated jams, rapid solos and umpteen tempo changes. Ably supported by a new drummer only a month in to the band who kept up admirably with the musical cacophony going on in front of him along with the unassuming keyboardist who further filled out the sound.
Yes you could argue that it was a little self-indulgent in places but it never felt that it was getting out of control and each song was brought back to base without outstaying its welcome. Ironically it was the new tracks from ‘Performance’ that were mainly played straight as per the album.
The near ninety minutes flew by with ‘River to Consider’ and ‘Had 2 know (Personal)’ my favourites but the new songs stood up well too. This was an out an out rock show and the air con was struggling to keep the temperature under control because of the musical heat coming off that stage and dripping off the sparkly gold ceiling
Onto round two of the evening for a probably more sedate rootsy outing with Hiss Golden Messenger in Islington.
Until the next time keep on rockin y’all
garyw66
I’ve seen a lot of loud bands over the years but the one that did the worst things to my ears, and I didn’t expect it at all, was White Denim. Those Texans are ones to watch. With now six albums of progressive experimental rock under their belts, I knew I’d be in for some great rock and roll from James Petralli and co, but just how loud and energetic it happened to be was quite the surprise. They lure you in with what seems like a gentle and melodic opener of ‘Street Joy’, letting Petralli’s soulful voice take centre stage... and then the rousing chorus and huge drums come piling in and there’s no looking back. The soloing is stunning; the rhythm section is flawless as the band roars through ‘River to Consider’ (all shimmying grooves and breakdowns) and the blistering ‘At the Farm’, which was the exact point I knew my hearing was in danger. It only got better (and my hearing worse) from there as they rolled out the best of their back catalogue, the best of which was lost 60s classic ‘Shake Shake Shake’.
White Denim are an unbelievably powerful live act. Don’t let the look of those four charming young men onstage con you into thinking otherwise.
AndyHannah
The musicianship at the show was absolutely outstanding. If you werent prepared to go on long musical journeys maybe this wasn’t a show for you, but if you were ready for that and went along with them it was amazing. I saw them once about five years ago at the Biltmore, the show was good but they have stepped up their game musically. The band was incredibly tight and they were amazingly energetic. Played a couple ballads, lots of intricate shredding, not so many of the groove based hits. overall it was incredibly satisfying and they gave it. The sound was average at best, the vocals were buried which was a shame. I’ve had good sound at the Rickshaw for sure but this was not one of their shining moments. It was good enough to make the show great but the show could’ve been incredible if the sound was good. overly boomy in the low mid-bass and some potentially average mic choices for mid-range instruments was where they seemed suffer the most. I still love the show anyway look at it but I could’ve loved it more
The_Sandor
Starting as a spazzed out psychedelic garage rock band, they have gradually added on additional elements of prog, desert rock, Beefheartian blues, soul and post-ZZ Top chooglin’ barbecue boogie. Whatever genres they try, they're one of the best live indie bands in North America, and I've caught them live whenever I can since 2007.
There's been a lineup change, with two guys leaving to support Leon Bridges. The new youngins with their jazzy chops up the virtuoso factor even more, which in a way can be dangerous. I've seen too many bands get their act down so tight that they look bored, and lose their passion. The danger looms for this band, and their are certainly tight, but more in a playful way, like mid-90s Ween. They are still having fun, and in honor of Prince, they added a nice spontaneious medley of "Let's Go Crazy," "Delirious" and "Controversy" for the encore. Millions of White Stripes/Black Keys fans are missing out 'til they see this band.
Fastnbulbous
10/10 What a Performance! White Denim may be so named because it is uncool to wear white denim (apparently), but they are surely using this as secret code for being the coolest band on the planet. They performed new tracks from Performance album & a quite scintillating back catelogue ‘megamix’ which left everyone screaming for more. Influences from 70’s rock, soul, prog rock are played transformed into riffs, solos & raucous vocals that were just a riot of fun. And I was there with little more than 100 others. Privileged.
Finished with legendary Mirrored in Reverse. What a tune.
duncan-bull-1
Heard on Sat Nov 23 at Saturn in Bigmingham, AL.
Impression: first time seeing this group and this is one of the best concerts I've ever attended. After a short opening set by SpaceFace, (and a groovy cover of Hendrix's "Crosstown Traffic" by a special guest in an elephant mask.... AKA White Denim's lead singer, the stage was set for White Denim themselves.
Incredible music flowed for a solid 2 hours without breaks. Amazing talent and stamina. Palpable energy. Smooth. Jazz meets RUSH meets Black Keys meets Drive By Truckers.
This is a must see band.
christensen.mark
Great show! White Denim absolutely brought the house down. Ikebe Shakedown was the perfect Friday night opener. Ikebe was this interesting reggaefunk fusion awesomeness w a great frontman.
White Denim played a lot of their new stuff which was more psych-y live than it is on the record. That made me happy.
Highlight of the show was Back At The Farm. They rocked the shit out of it -- brought me back to WD's early days
bkind
The show was excellent!!! I had to work in Dallas and thank the lord the band was playing the first night of my trip. White Denim is such a good band and they cover the gamut of so many styles of Rock. The way their instruments harmonize is so tight and seamless!!! They are worth seeing live and I recommend buying all of their albums.
bill-ferguson-1
Execellent performance from an excellent band. Loved the fluid transitions between songs (Holda you-Anvil Everything-I start to run). When these guys have some many kick ass songs in all the styles/fusion of styles that rock can create, you're in for a treat. I want more! Hope I'll see them soon. Highly recommended!
bolosse225
Outfuc*ingstounding! What else could one expect. Best live band in the world. They screwed up the sound downstairs which sounded very flat which was disappointing (until we went upstairs). Even if you think you like White Denim, go see them. You'll become a super fan rather quickly...
colas-burton
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